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02-15-2011 - Public HearingMaverick/Ridgeriders Park Master Pla - Item 11 (2).doc City of West Covina Memorandum A G E N D A ITEM NO. 11 DATE February 15, 2011 TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager and City Council FROM: Jeff Anderson, Acting Planning Director SUBJECT: MAVERICK/RIDGERIDERS PARK MASTER PLAN RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission, Community Services Commission, and staff recommend that the City Council adopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO. _____________A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MAVERICK/RIDGERIDERS PARK MASTER PLAN DISCUSSION: The proposed Maverick/Ridgerider Park Master Plan provides a vision for the park and guides improvements. This Master Plan is a working list of action items developed by the community, City staff and the consultant, David Volz Design (DVD). The park has been used for several decades for recreational purposes and is unique because it has historically provided two defined uses – an equestrian center and baseball field. The City’s General Plan identifies this park as a “Special Facility Park”. The Ridgeriders Equestrian center at the park is well known in the Southern California equestrian community, especially for hosting events in an environment shaded with mature trees. On January 18, 2001 the City Council approved the purchase of the parkland. The City has a policy of establishing Park Master Plans for park facilities. The purposes of establishing park master plans are as follow: The City has consistently developed park master plans for all the parks within the City. Maverick/Ridgeriders Park is the only park that does not have a park master plan and the General Plan calls for all parks within the City to have an approved Park Master Plan. Craft a vision for the park with community input that will guide future improvements. Allows the City to apply and compete for grants for park improvements. Preserves and protects the open space that improves the quality of life for the residents of the City and park users. On May 9, 2007, a community workshop was held at the Senior Center located at Cortez Park. Notices were sent to neighboring residents within 500 feet of the park site, as well as known park users and posted on the site. Approximately two dozen community members attended the workshop. The participants discussed various issues regarding the type of improvements they would like to see at the park. These improvements ranged from dust control, establishing a trailhead to connect to the regional trail system, enhancing the entrance at the park, upgrading restrooms, and maintaining the rustic character of the park. The input from this meeting has been incorporated into the park master plan. The overall goals identified served as guiding principles to craft a master plan for the park. The following is a list of the goals identified: Protect existing Baseball Field and Amenities. Protect existing Equestrian Facilities that are in good condition. Generate income by renting park facilities. Maintain the rural character of the park. Protect healthy trees. Provide/Protect trail access to Walnut Creek. Provide better pedestrian circulation. Provide a more identifiable Park Sign at entrance. Based on the guiding principles above, the following is a list of improvements in the form of action items to implement the vision crafted for the park. These improvements may be completed in phases when funding is available through capital improvements, budgeting and/or grants such as State grants and Open Space grants. Address site drainage deficiency. Upgrade the park’s general and security lighting. Upgrade plumbing and irrigation system. Modify existing restroom to provide better access – from both sides of the structure (ball field and equestrian). Provide more seating opportunities (picnic tables and benches). Provide designated trails and/or walking paths to improve the general pedestrian/equestrian circulation. Improve parking for cars, trucks and trailers to better serve both user groups. Establish Wayfinding System (signage). Improvements include appropriately designed and placed signage to link the park to Cortez Park and to Walnut Creek Trail. Enhance the rustic character in new construction of structures, walls, columns, fencing and shade shelters. Establish Trail Head to connect to regional trail system. The master plan has also taken into consideration the various Valencia Heights Water Company water easements that exist throughout the site. These water easements may constrain future improvements, as structures cannot be built on the easements. However, these easements and water utilities have not affected the current use of the park. PLANNING COMMISSION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: A joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Community Services Commission was held on January 25, 2011. The Commissioners had questions regarding the scheduling of different events at the park. Some of the commissioners indicated that large events should not be scheduled at the same time to avoid parking issues/conflicts. Commissioner Fennell, through an email, suggested that the park master plan call out handicap accessibility or location of handicap parking stalls. It should be noted that any improvement to this or any park is required to be done in compliance with all applicable State and City regulations, including Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. At that meeting, the Commissions received public comment. Based on the comments made by various members of the community, it appeared that there was a misunderstanding regarding the purpose of developing a park master plan. There was a misconception among some community members that the park master plan proposed improvements to be done immediately or in the near future to the park; thus neglecting other parks within the City. Also, it appeared that the public was not aware that each park within the City has a master plan, except Maverick/Ridgerider Park. The commissioners informed the members of the public in attendance that the purpose of crafting a master plan is to have a plan that guides future improvements as funds become available. Furthermore, it was explained that the Planning Commission does not have the authority to approve any type of expenditure for park improvements. After completing their deliberations, both Commissions voted unanimously to recommend approval to the City Council of the Maverick/Ridgeriders Park Master Plan. The Community Services Commission voted 6-0 (Fennell and Kennedy absent), and the Planning Commission voted 5-0. FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed Park Master Plan has no direct fiscal impact to the City since there are no available funding for improvements at this time. As funding sources become available, the improvements will be done according to the framework established in the Park Master Plan. ________________________________ ____________________________________ Prepared by: Fabiola Wong Reviewed/Approved by: Jeff Anderson Senior Planner Acting Planning Director ___________________________________ Reviewed/Approved by: Michele McNeill Community Services Director Attachment 1: Draft City Council Resolution Attachment 2: Planning Commission Park Master Plan Resolution 11-5400 Attachment 3: Planning Commission Staff Report, January 25, 2010 Attachment 4: Joint Meeting Minutes, January 25, 2011 Attachment 5: Questions and Answers